Signing Off For The Last Time

I love the fall. It marks the end of the activities of summer and the beginning of preparing for winter. We have beautiful fall colors this year. Maybe we’re just appreciating them more than we have in the past. I think we’re appreciating a lot of things more than we have in the past. Like the beginning of fall, we’re also experiencing an end and a beginning.

The week went fast. They always do. Brian reconnected with friends and Lu and I continued to adjust. Lindsey, Jason, and Ethan came over on Saturday afternoon so we had a nice time together before he headed back. We didn’t talk a lot about Afghanistan. It was more important to take a break and get away from it for awhile. We saw the movies Brian made and some of the pictures he took over the past seven months. We significantly underestimated how much it actually sucked and how bad the conditions were. That’s just as well. As I’ve said before, I’m glad we didn’t know a lot of the things. (Just as an FYI Brian and his group completed over 35 missions outside the wire while they were in Afghanistan, ran numerous patrols and recon, and provided security for the EOD guys on several occasions. He received the Navy/Marine Commendation Medal for his leadership and efforts- the write-up recommending him for this medal is simply incredible.)

Some of the Pictures Brian Took

Firefight

in

Marjah

On Patrol

Big Gun

Jumping the

Canals

Finding IEDs

Everywhere

Taking Brian to the airport to return to Pendleton was easier this time. This was the last time we’ll have to do it. Brian will be finishing up the last two months attending classes and basically beginning to check-out of the Marines. He will still have 2 years in the reserve but doesn’t expect to be activated again. He has served well.

I spent some time reviewing the posts I’ve made over the past two years. They brought back a lot of memories- a lot of emotions- and an even a greater appreciation for the little things we tend to take for granted when we get wrapped up in the hectic schedules of our daily lives. I can assure you, Lu and I will never forget this. We hope to take what we’ve learned and do whatever we can to help others going through similar experiences. I also feel some responsibility to carry-on the legacies of some of those who sacrificed everything by doing what our country asked them to do.

I still believe our presence in Afghanistan is necessary. However, my perspective has changed after going through this. The American public’s support for the effort has deteriorated and I am not at all confident in the political leadership exhibited by either side (Republican or Democrat). The reality is if Afghanistan falls and reverts back to Taliban rule the whole game in the Middle East may change- the nuclear option will certainly be more likely and the likelihood of another attack on our own soil increases. We may have to go back- just under different circumstances.

However, as long as Americans (not just the politicians) understand the real risks and still decide it's better to get out- I now think we should bring our men and women home. The sacrifices we are asking these men and women (and their families) to make no longer make sense unless our country is 100% behind the effort. We aren’t there today. There is no doubt that America supports our troops- America just doesn’t support the effort itself. I think you need both to be worth the sacrifices that are being made.

Just needed to get that out there

Once again, Lu and I want to thank all family and friends for your prayers and support. We will continue to adjust not only to having Brian safely home from Afghanistan but to prepare for his exit from the Marines. We can’t even begin to describe the pride we feel when we reflect on what he has accomplished- as a Marine, a son, a brother, and as a man. We will continue to pray for those still serving and will always remember those making the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We will always remain humbled by their commitment.

Brian plans to drive his truck (with his motorcycle in the back) from Camp Pendleton to Minnesota sometime in December to make the journey home. A couple of his buddies told him they would make the trip with him. If they don’t, I told him I’d do it. What a wonderful way to see the country, reflect a little, and appreciate some time together on the road. A Road Trip- I think another Story may be on the horizon.

God Bless and Signing Off

Semper Fi

Together Again

Greetings,

OK, I couldn’t stop the blog just yet. The most important part of this whole deployment is just now taking place and I have to make sure it’s also documented as part of this journey. This is a “family post”; no deep insights, no politics, and no military discussions. It’s just about having your family together again and appreciating the many blessings we have.

To be perfectly honest, Lu and I have had a tough time adjusting. Even after welcoming Brian home to Camp Pendleton two weeks ago it still hasn’t seemed real. When we talked to Brian on the phone over the past week it’s hard to not continue to picture him talking to us from a gun turret in Afghanistan instead of California. For the past seven months the gun turret was the reality.

Hopefully, the next week will help all of us adjust to the new normal- whatever that is.

Brian came home on Saturday. The 30-day post-deployment leave-block for those just returning started on Thursday. He’s just going to take a week now and save the rest of his days so he can head home permanently in late November or early December. His enlistment ends on December 22 but he’ll use his saved days and go on terminal leave and finish his time here at home.

We met him at the airport with our “Welcome Home Marine” banner. Lu lined the yard with little American flags. Even though Brian can do without it, we wanted everyone to know that our Marine was home.

Brian was finally able to meet his nephew/godson (Ethan was wearing cammie pants and a “Welcome Home Uncle Brian” marine t-shirt). It didn’t take them very long to connect and it was a beautiful thing to watch. It was wonderful to just have all of us together in one room again. Lu made her traditional spaghetti dinner and the prayers before the meal had a very special meaning for all of us. Lu and I had to wipe away the tears on a couple of occasions.

Brian plans on relaxing this week. We all know it’s going to take a lot longer than a couple of weeks to comprehend and adjust to what he has been through over the past seven months. As we have learned to do very well over the past four years, we’ll just take it one day at a time. We’re going to enjoy the time we have together and help him in whatever way we can. It’s just nice to finally be together and not be thinking about another deployment just around the corner. This is a much nicer feeling.




A Patriotic
Ethan

A Very Proud

Sister

Finally!!!!

A Kiss

For

Uncle Brian

Semper Fi

Adjusting- It May Take Awhile

The fog is only now beginning to clear. Lu and I had done such a good job of not jumping ahead to the finish line it has taken awhile to accept the fact that Brian is finally home. The feeling of relief is impossible to describe. We’re smiling more. I know we felt a huge feeling of relief when Brian returned from Iraq last year, but this one was different. This time we had a much better idea that the situations he was dealing with and the environment he was living in were hell - there just wasn’t a damned thing we could do about it. That made it a lot tougher. We lived each day by the saying that “it’s not over 'til it’s over”- we wouldn’t believe he was actually home until we saw his face.

Seeing Brian get out of that truck was simply a beautiful experience. He’s lost about 25 pounds (which he didn’t have to begin with) but still looks just great. It was wonderful to be together and meet some of the people in his life we had heard him only talk about before. He’s got some good friends out there. It was also very cool to meet the marines serving under Brian in Afghanistan. Each one independently told us what an honor it was to work under him. We were pretty proud parents. Everyone seemed to know “Corporal Z.”



Playing With
Dad Again
(Shawn- One of
Brian's Marines)

We spent a wonderful couple of days together. On Tuesday Brian accomplished another one of his goals by buying his truck. I still couldn’t believe he wanted to buy a truck the day after he returned to the United

States. This was all part of the plan he sketched out while in Afghanistan. He said, “You have to focus on anything to escape the reality of whereyou are while you’re there.” We learned awhile back that when you are a Marine, you complete what you plan.

A Very Relieved

Mom

Brian may be coming home for a few days next week to finally meet his nephew/Godson. His “active duty” contract with the Marines is over in late December but he’s planning on driving home from California in late November or early December and will complete the rest of his time from Minnesota. It will be good to have him home. The holidays are going to be a lot more fun this year. I’ll continue to post stuff out here periodically (therapy) and will post some of the dates and other general updates as they get finalized.

We still can’t believe the four years with 19 months of deployments, the schools, the training demands, boot camp, and all of the emotions that come with being a military family today are coming to a close. I know Lu and I are ending the journey a lot different people than when we began. I don’t plan on stopping here and will be exploring other ways to stay involved. We’ve witnessed some pretty amazing things and have met some pretty amazing people along this journey. I hope in some way I can help carry-on the legacies of those who didn’t make it this far- they have had a huge impact on my life and taught me some big lessons. One of the biggest lessons is realizing it’s not the length of time that you spend on this earth that is important, it’s what you do with the time you are here that really matters.

I’ll also continue to remember the families and loved ones of those now deployed who are going through exactly the same thing we’ve been through. Take my word; it’s not easy. They will be in my thoughts and prayers until all of our men and women are back home.

I have no doubt in my mind that God had a significant hand in getting Brian safely home to us. Brian told us that on a number of occasions over there “the prayers must have worked.” I'm glad we didn't know some of the specifics until he was home. I also have no doubt in my mind that God helped Lu and I through some of the rougher parts. I know we wouldn’t have had the courage to face them alone- we got a lot of help along the way. I have a pretty big debt to repay.

I cannot formally end this portion without thanking the family and friends who supported Brian, his Marines, and all of us during the last four years. You cannot believe how much you have touched our lives. Brian showed me the laminated pictures of family and friends he carried in his notebook (which he carried everywhere) to remind him of what he was doing all of this for- you all mean a lot to him as well.

Another big lesson to remember: Family is important- never forget it (hug your parents, kids, and grandkids a lot).

We live in a remarkable country. Especially after hearing a little about the cultures and ways of life in Iraq and Afghanistan I appreciate it even more. So, when I start to get a little discouraged with the stupidity and pettiness we experience each day, I’m going to remember what we’ve witnessed over these past four years. I’ll remember the courage, the commitment, and sacrifice of those who are protecting our freedom as a reminder that there are always good people all around doing some very good things for something beyond themselves. They are out there. We’ve seen them.

It’s been an honor to know them- and the most important one to us is finally home.

Semper Fi

WELCOME HOME MARINE- We're Very Proud; And A Job Well Done !!!!

They changed the time on us again- this time they moved it up 8 hours. No need to write anything. The pictures say it all.

Stand Down
Marines
Well Done

A Very Proud

Father

Semper Fi

Just Waiting

Greetings

I thought I would post an update just to let folks know what’s going on. I’ll post pictures and updates once Brian gets here. We just don’t know when it’s going to be.

What started as a Friday arrival, moved to Sunday, moved to Monday morning, and now we aren’t sure when it’s going to be. I just got off the phone (Sunday afternoon) with the Family Readiness Officer for the 1st Intelligence Battalion and was notified of the most recent change. It may be Monday night now but we aren’t really sure. Like this entire deployment, we just need to keep taking it one step at a time- I have to admit; it’s getting tougher.

Lu and I arrived in San Diego on Saturday (thinking we would be seeing Brian on Sunday). We’ve made the best of our time here but had hoped to be spending this time with Brian. Saying we're disappointed is an understatement. We keep reminding ourselves that the main thing is that he is on his way home. We just don’t when he’ll get here.






Making The Best
of Waiting

Keep the positive thoughts flowing west. We'll let you know when we know more.

Semper Fi

Just Another Anxious Weekend

We had not talked to Brian in about a week so we really didn’t know what was going on. Was he starting his journey home? Did we need to continue to worry? Was there any update on the time-frames? We were up north for the holiday so kept our cell phones close and I became a little obsessed with checking my e-mail to see if I had received any updates. No word all weekend.

We come to find out he had left a message on our phone at home and Lu got it when she came home Monday night- the message: He’s moved his guys to the rear and he’s going to be starting the journey home. We’re still confirming the dates and we have to adjust our travel schedule to see what works. We’ll post more specifics when we can. The big thing for us is that he is out of the front lines and starting the process of getting home.

You would think we would have become used to all of this by now- but Lu and I let out a huge sigh of relief. We’re a little exhausted.

During this deployment, Brian has grown to admire the ordinance technicians who look for and disarm the IEDs that are a part of everyday life over there. These special marines provided a lot of support to Brian and his marines and even let them rest in their air conditioned tent when they were going through the air conditioning fiasco a few months ago. Brian’s group provided security for them on occasion when they were “doing their thing.” He calls them “really smart mother_______s”

When we talked to him last week he told us they just lost two of their guys to IEDs so it was a little rough (also adding to our anxiousness over the weekend). One of these heroes was from Pine City, Minnesota.

This one hit pretty close to home.

Master Sergeant Daniel Fedder was doing what he loved. While we can’t even begin to comprehend the level of his sacrifice, he was (I heard it again) just doing his job. He left behind his wife and three young children. At his memorial his thirteen year old daughter read a beautiful tribute to her dad, and through her tears, told him goodbye. There wasn’t a dry-eye in the place.

The other hero was GSgt Floyd Holley from Casselberry, Florida. He was planning on returning home from Afghanistan in November for the birth of his first child.




MSgt Daniel Fedder

Pine City says farewell

I don’t write these things to try to create tears. As I’ve said before, I share them because it is reality. I share them because I continue to be in awe of the character exhibited by those who serve and I am also simply amazed by the strength of the loved ones left behind. I share them because while it is certainly cathartic for me, these are stories others should hear especially with where we are as a country. We all need to sacrifice a little today. These heroes have sacrificed a lot.

While we are thankful for nearing the end of one part of the journey we also realize we are so blessed with the beginning of another. Lindsey, Jason, and Ethan spent the Labor Day weekend with us at the cabin. Ethan grows more every time we see him and is developing his own unique personality. Ethan has made all of this a little easier for us. And, it’s always fun to just get together as a family.



Alot To Explore

Infectious
Smile

So, we’re getting closer. Once again, thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers. Even though Brian is now starting his journey home after a job well done I know we are not finished. We’ll just move into the next phase and continue to support these men and women who know what real sacrifice is all about in any way we can.

Semper Fi

Even the Best Laid Plans. . . .

I consider myself a pretty decent “planner.” I tend to try to anticipate all possibilities with any specific situation and then plan accordingly. I probably overdo it in some areas and don't plan enough in others. Planning helps keep things in perspective. Needless to say, for someone who likes to anticipate and plan- these last four years have been quite the challenge.

We thought we had some “dates.” Plane tickets were bought, a car was reserved, and hotel reservations were made. The exercise of putting the trip together was a challenge in itself. Was the finish line really that close?

Well, things changed last week. At this point, we aren’t sure what our “dates” really are. I can’t go into details- suffice it to say we’re on hold until we hear otherwise (we aren’t cancelling/changing our original schedule just yet, we just need to wait).

Lu and I are doing ok. We’re naturally tired and frustrated but that doesn’t even compare to the frustration that the guys 7,000 miles away must be feeling. So we’re trying to suck-it-up. We told Brian we would adjust to whatever happens. As we've said throughout this journey, we still have to stay positive and take it just one day at a time. The most important thing is that he and his buddies return to us safe. The rest is irrelevant.

Just posting some of my favorite “older” pictures of Brian at Camp Pendleton (I believe these were when he was at the School of Infantry- seems like a lifetime ago.)



Kicking Down Doors And
Big Guns
Brian is On The Right

A New Marine

In The Field

As things become clearer we will certainly let you know. Just keep the positive thoughts and prayers flowing to Afghanistan- and hopefully we’ll hear something soon.

Semper Fi